DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 105 



of a thin watery fluid from the nostrils. If the attack is not 

 allowed to get beyond this stage not much harm will 

 have been done, but if it is neglected the health of the 

 bird will certainly be permanently affected. 



The best treatment for a cold is aconite. Ten drops to one 

 ounce of drinking water is about the right proportion in 

 which to administer the homeopathic tincture of aconite. 

 If this is given directly the first symptoms of cold are 

 detected it will prove efficacious. Another useful remedy 

 is opium, five drops of the tincture of opium and ten of 

 glycerine to one ounce of water. Nitre also is useful in the 

 treatment of catarrh. Ten drops of sweet spirit of nitre 

 to an ounce of water often cures a cold in its earlier stages. 

 In addition to medicating the drinking water, it is ad- 

 visable to sprinkle two or three drops of cod Uver oil 

 on the bird's egg food. 



Congestion of the Liver. 



This is another of the complaints caused by exposure 

 to either wet or cold. A bird suffering from congestion 

 will be found shivering on its perch or huddled up in a 

 corner of its cage. On being caught its feet will be found 

 to be quite cold, its eyes will look dull and heavy, whilst 

 the body will feel cold and clammy. If these symptoms 

 are neglected fever sets in. Warmth is most essential 

 either in the earlier or later stages. The cage should be 

 placed in the warmest corner of the bird-room. If there is 

 no heat in the bird-room the bird should be removed 

 to a room in which a fire is burning. Warm bread and milk, 

 sprinkled with cayenne pepper, should be given in place of 

 its usual food, and warm water should be given it to 

 drink. Ten drops of tincture of aconite should be mixed 

 with the drinking water, or warm milk with ten or twelve 

 drops of gin mixed with it may be given. 



DiARRHCEA. 



Diarrhoea, or Scours, as it is called by some, is generally 

 caused by decaying or sour food. Impure water and cold 

 are also frequent causes of this complaint ; another 



